Verses like these...

...make me sit up and take notice.

Ever had those moments when you're sitting down relaxed, reading through the Bible and read something that makes you snap right out of relax mode? Revelations 21:8 did that to me recently. The verse says "But the cowardly, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practise the magic arts, the idolators and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death". Another version says "But the fearful, the unbelieving and the abominable....".

I was surprised that the Bible lists the fearful and the cowards along with murderers and the immoral, sorcerers and idolators. Surely being a bit fearful, or not so brave is just a personality trait, not a sin? God doesn't seem to think so. I guess He has His reasons. He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. That could be one of the reasons. Fear is also the opposite of faith. And we cannot love God and lack faith. A lack of faith hinders God. Fear is like a barrier we put up to prevent God from working in our lives. The Bible gives instances where Jesus was unable to do miraculous things because of the lack of faith of the people.

Aren't there times that we forget the many hurdles God has carried us over and the many doors He has opened and fear for the future? Will and I are guilty of that too. It has taken a lot of miracles for us to be living in the same city, married. Oh wait, it was a miracle we even met. God provided in the most unusual way! And here we sit, fretting about how we will sell our home next summer to move to our new location. I'm grateful for verses like these that help me snap out of my unbelief and get back on track with trusting in God's power.